That is, if it is good enough news that the spectacularly gifted receiver could be around for one more year, if there is a franchise tag as part of the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement and if $10 million is enough for Jackson to show up to work on time.

There remains almost no chance the Chargers will sign Jackson to a long-term deal. The team believes the anticipated price tag (his agents were at one time asking for $50 million over five years) is too high, and it remains troubled by the receiver's DUI history and the fact Jackson drove on a suspended license for an extended period. There's also the specter of a possible mammoth suspension should Jackson have more off-the-field issues.

But the team is considering using the franchise tag on Jackson – if whatever labor deal is reached before the next season allows for such a designation.

In fact, the only question likely remaining is which tag they could/would place on Jackson.

First, no one is certain what a tag would look like (and if there will even be one) under a new CBA. And even if the franchise tag rules remain the same, the Chargers would have to choose between putting the exclusive or non-exclusive tag on Jackson.

The exclusive tag would mean Jackson would be guaranteed a one-year salary worth the average of the five highest-paid receivers (expected to be more than $10 million) but be unable to negotiate with any other teams. A non-exclusive tag would mean he gets the $10 mil-plus salary but would be able to negotiate with other teams. If he did agree to a contract with another team, the Chargers would be able to match the offer to keep him (not going to happen) or be entitled to two first-round picks as compensation for losing him.

While there is no consideration currently to ever give Jackson a long-term deal, a tag also gives everyone time to see if Jackson stays clean. It is a concern – not just in the Chargers front office but around the NFL – that another serious legal issue for Jackson would result in him being suspended for a full year. The only thing that would bring leniency and calm fears is more time having passed.

Much of the rhetoric since Jackson made his 2010 debut two weeks ago (not counting his mini-appearance at Indianapolis) has seemed to have a central theme: that Jackson has been so good that he certainly must have shown A.J. Smith his worth.

Not exactly.

Smith didn’t know that before? He has called Jackson a “great” player, been effusive in his praise for his practice habits and how hard he plays, as well as his ability to catch passes. Jackson was second in the league in yards per catch from 2008-09. His 63.6 reception percentage last season was remarkable considering the 68 passes he caught traveled an average of 14 yards in the air, most among anyone who caught more than 45 passes. He has 19 receiving touchdowns since the start of 2008 season, tied for 18th in the league while missing the first 11 games of this season. Smith knew what he had before Jackson went for 112 yards and three touchdowns on Thursday.

But what was before a remote possibility is now a likelihood. The Chargers would like to keep their No.1 receiver another year.

Now, there is almost no doubt – again, not just in the Chargers front office – that the franchise tag will not be welcomed by the Jackson camp.

When his agents eventually came down off their insistence on a multiyear deal and were willing to accept a one-year contract, it was with the provision he would not be franchised in 2011.

With the $281,000 he settled for to be on the roster the final six games of this season and a salary of around $10 million next year, Jackson would average less than $5.5 million over two years. That’s going to be a slap in the face to a guy who, had he gotten his wishes, would essentially have realized $20 million by now.

There is the possibility Jackson could withhold his services again. At the very least, we could be going through the will-they-trade-him drama of 2010 all over again.

But one of the league’s best receivers, a guy who is getting better still, would be under control of the Chargers.